In your heart. In your mind, and through your trembling bones, you will take no breathe alone, for He has ordered every step.

— Morgan Harper Nichols

I remember the first time I got a tattoo. I wish I could say that I had thought about what I wanted for a few years. After all, this is one of those life decisions that would forever be imprinted on my body and it was one that I had to hide from my parents (sorry mom). The truth is, it was a last minute spontaneous urge/idea. As some may know the emotional process of getting a tattoo is both exciting yet painful. Once the process is complete and you see the end result you can’t help, but forget the pain that it caused you.

It was the same way I felt the moment the Holy Spirit marked me. It was the moment my pain stopped and my purpose began. Please don’t misunderstand me and think that I feel qualified all the time. That is far from the truth. Everyday, I have to make a “spontaneous” decision to have the Holy Spirit mark both my heart and my purpose. Pastor Ashley said it so perfectly in last weeks message on “A Marked Heart” she spoke something that resonates in me. She said, “We are marked by so many things, marks that add to our identity. But there’s one mark that overpowers and encompasses all and that is the Holy Spirit.” So powerful!

Now it is God who establishes and confirms us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and who has anointed us [empowering us with the gifts of the Spirit]; it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].

— 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 AMP

Even as the beautiful flawless ladies that we are, we too can be bombarded with the demands of our everyday life. We have to constantly remind ourselves that we have been chosen, we have been identified, but most importantly we have been marked. So ladies, I challenge you this week to walk in confidence. Don’t do what I did and hide that mark from others (again sorry mom) due to fear, doubt or insecurities. Because I promise that will only lead you to a life without purpose, a life without joy. Instead let’s be the Paul’s of today even when facing persecution, reminding ourselves that we have been marked and sealed. Pressing forward with the knowledge that you have a certified mark!

What an amazing week it was at Fashion! We hope this past 12 weeks has blessed you and enriched your life, join us in our next study of journeying with the girls! More information for our next 12 next study will be available soon. Out of the Area: you can also watch the replay of the weekly messages on our YouTube channel. We love you, we believe in you, and we can't wait to see you next time at Fashion, where we love to live and live to love